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Paul Weller Fan Podcast
Geoff Pesche - Mastering Engineer - Abbey Road - Find El Dorado
Season 3, Ep. 8
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What a joy it was to spend time with Abbey Road Mastering Engineer, Geoff Pesche for this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast.
Geoff’s name might not immediately ring bells for every listener – but his sonic fingerprints are all over some of the most significant records in British music history. From the cutting room at Tape One to the mastering suites of Abbey Road Studios, Geoff’s career spans over four decades of audio excellence.
Before we dig into his work with Paul Weller, let’s rewind a bit. Geoff began in the late ’70s as a bike messenger, before quickly stepping into the studio world proper. By the early ’80s, he was mastering tracks at Tape One, where he famously cut the original lacquers for Blue Monday – the best-selling 12” single of all time. He also helped prepare Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms for mass production and later mastered Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head – the most played radio track ever.
Since 2006, Abbey Road has been his home turf, where he’s worked on records by Blur, Gorillaz, Kate Nash, Dizzee Rascal, and Basement Jaxx, to name a few. In short, when you need your album to sparkle, Geoff’s the man to call.
Working with Weller
Geoff’s link to Paul Weller came via Charles Rees, the engineer and studio manager behind the upcoming new album Find El Dorado. Having already collaborated with Charles on music by The Rifles, Geoff was a natural choice when it came time to master Paul’s latest LP. After a few test tracks were exchanged and approved, Geoff took on the full album – bringing clarity, warmth and just the right amount of loudness to the final mixes.
What was particularly fascinating was Geoff’s insight into the process: how files are shared remotely, how mastering has adapted to modern streaming and vinyl needs, and how his job is, as he puts it, “adding the sugar on top.”
The Weller Touch
Throughout our chat, Geoff spoke with genuine admiration for Weller – not just as a musician, but as someone who’s stayed relevant by being musically direct, open to collaboration, and remarkably grounded.
You can hear more about Find El Dorado, Geoff’s incredible discography, and the art of mastering on the full episode – out now on the Paul Weller Fan Podcast.
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